Humor found its way into space when NASA’s Crew-10 astronauts were met with an unexpected surprise upon arriving at the International Space Station (ISS). As the newly arrived crew members floated into the station early Sunday morning, they were greeted not just by their fellow astronauts but also by what appeared to be an “alien.”
Russian cosmonaut Ivan Vagner decided to have some fun with the new arrivals by wearing an alien mask. The moment unfolded just after the four Crew-10 astronauts docked their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule at 12:04 a.m., nearly 29 hours after their launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As preparations were underway to open the capsule, Vagner was seen floating around in an alien mask, a hoodie, pants, and socks, adding an element of lightheartedness to the serious environment of the space station.
A Warm Welcome Aboard
Shortly after the hatch was opened at 1:35 a.m. EDT, the new arrivals—NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov—entered the International Space Station. They were greeted with handshakes, hugs, and smiles from the Expedition 72 crew. The welcoming ceremony was marked by a longstanding tradition: astronaut Suni Williams rang the ship’s bell as the new team floated into the station.
Despite the practical joke, the mood remained warm and celebratory. Williams later expressed her excitement over the arrival, describing the day as a wonderful experience and emphasizing how great it was to see friends joining the mission. Williams and her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are expected to guide the newcomers through the station’s operations before finally heading back to Earth.
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Extended Stay for Returning Astronauts
Williams and Wilmore have spent an unexpectedly long time aboard the ISS. Initially scheduled to stay for just a week after the launch of Boeing’s first astronaut flight, they ended up spending nine months in space due to technical issues that forced NASA to bring the Boeing Starliner back to Earth without them. Now, with the arrival of Crew-10, their return home is finally within reach.
Meanwhile, as Crew-10 settles in, Crew-9 commander Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are preparing for their departure. Their return to Earth is scheduled for Wednesday as early as 4 a.m., with a planned splashdown off the coast of Florida.
A Touch of Humor in Space
Life on the International Space Station is filled with scientific research, critical experiments, and daily maintenance tasks, but moments like this remind us that astronauts, despite their demanding roles, find ways to keep morale high. The unexpected alien encounter not only made for a memorable welcome but also highlighted the camaraderie and playful spirit shared among astronauts from different space agencies.
As Crew-10 embarks on its mission aboard the ISS, the lighthearted start to its journey serves as a reminder that even in the vastness of space, a little humor can go a long way.
